Latest news with #FarmShow
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Final day of farm show caps off three-day agriculture event
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A three-day agriculture event wraps up today in southeast Kansas. Today was the final day for the 50th Four State Farm Show at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg. PREVIOUS: Farm show and graduation attract thousands to Pittsburg area and hotels The event brings in people from around the Four States and across the U.S. Four State Farm Show officials tell us Saturday was one of their busy days with more foot traffic but Sunday was a little slower because of Mother's Day. Some booths wrapped up early, while other stuck around until 3. We spoke with one attendee who checked out the event for the first time. 'I think it's definitely important just getting out there. Although you're already grown to such a large size, there's never a stopping point at who you get your name out to. Also, just looking at some of the other products, there's a way you can look around and improve your own,' said Zaylain Baldwin, a Four State Farm Show attendee. 'We have been doing this a couple of years and it's mainly for promotional and we make a little bit of money. So it's a win-win both ways,' said Rumor Tackett, Northstar Metalworks. Attendees this weekend could register to win a $1,000 shopping spree. The winner was announced at 2:30 this afternoon. They have until July 1 to redeem their prize with any Farm Show exhibitor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
25-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Sask. farmers say they're fed up with America, but also the Liberal government
Social Sharing As punishing Chinese and American tariffs threaten Canada's exports, Sask. farmers expressed anger and frustration over what they called U.S. President Donald Trump's "stupidity." But for all the vitriol they have toward the U.S. leader, they also showed disdain for former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his successor, Mark Carney. "Everything is for the east," said Carl Jensen, who farms in Invermay, Sask., about 250 kilometres east of Saskatoon, during Canada's Farm Show last week. CBC Saskatchewan spent a morning at the Farm Show in Regina as part of its national efforts to find out what matters to Canadians in this federal election campaign. What issue matters the most to you this federal election, and why? Share your personal stories with us at ask@ Jensen, along with other agricultural producers at the event, expressed bewilderment at the narrowing of polls that once showed a rock-solid Conservative majority. "If the Liberals get in, I think, what's gonna happen here? Western Canada is going to separate." Like many others at this farm show, the Jensens identify as Conservative Party supporters. Conservative MPs took all 14 Saskatchewan seats in the previous federal election. "We've had so many years of Liberals and their policies that do not support Western Canada at all," said Carl's wife, Elsie Jensen. She voiced a commonly-expressed view at the show that Saskatchewan boasts natural resources and should have thriving energy and farm sectors, but haven't seen the benefit of those resources. "We're carrying the country and they're punishing us." Tariffs causing stress Tariffs were top of mind for many of the farmers at the show. China recently introduced 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil and canola meal. That move is seen as a tit-for-tat measure in response to Canada's 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Meanwhile, America is poised to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all products — including canola — next month. The Jensens also shared another commonly-expressed view at this Farm Show, that Canadian-imposed tariffs on China's EVs were meant to support an auto industry in the east at the cost of farmers in the west. "The circumstances now are just going from bad to worse with Trump's policies, with China's response to Trudeau's stupidity," Elsie said. "You have to play ball with the Chinese. We get everything from China," her husband added. As angering as tariffs are, the couple and others at the farm show also expressed continued ire over the carbon tax, with the Jensens describing it as driving up the cost of everything, with the rebate not covering the tax's true costs. While Carney had signed a prime ministerial directive to kill the unpopular fuel tax as of April 1, many at the farm show expressed deep skepticism that he would truly "axe the tax," as Conservative Party leader Pierre Pollievre has been calling for. "Would you trust the Liberals? It's just the ploy because the election has been announced. It's just a ploy to get more votes," Carl said. Former Sask. premier Brad Wall has also spoken about Carney's apparent killing of the carbon tax, saying the prime minister will "not get rid of the carbon tax, but he will hide it," by creating a shadow carbon price on Canadian business. Wall shared a Facebook post that noted reliable polls are now showing that Canadians may deny the Conservatives a majority in the upcoming federal election. "How could Canadians even flirt with such a possibility?" he asked in the post. Yvan Delorme, who runs a business spraying crops, said farmers are the lifeblood of the province, providing work for people like him who depend on the agricultural industry. "[The federal government] treats us like third-rate citizens and we're not. We should actually be the top of the food chain," he said, calling it an "understatement" to say people in Western Canada would be angry if another Liberal party government was elected. "Voting for getting another Liberal government is like crapping your pants and changing your shirt," he said with a wry laugh. WATCH | Sask. voters react to Prime Minister Mark Carney cancelling consumer carbon tax: Sask. residents express skepticism after consumer carbon tax axed 13 minutes ago Duration 1:40 Western alienation not new In a province where F--k Trudeau signs are a common sight, animosity toward the Liberals has been around for decades, said Daniel Westlake, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Saskatchewan. But he doesn't believe another Liberal win would bring the bubbling Western separatism to a boil. "Part of this is because the animosity toward the Liberals is not new, and in the past, it has never led to a serious threat of separatism," he said. While rural voters in Saskatchewan may not feel like the government represents their interests, westerners still tend to see themselves as Canadians first, he said. "I just don't think there is the sense of distinct identity as divorced from Canada that is necessary to fuel a serious separatist movement," he said, noting that even rural Western Canadians express themselves in protest by using the Canadian flag. "That suggests to me that the people expressing these views may not like the direction the current government is taking Canada, but that they still see themselves as Canadian." For now, with the federal election results still up in the air, rural voters at Canada's Farm Show said they're trying to cope with the stress of the unknown and hoping that the next government will be able to deal with Trump's volatility. The Jensens hope their canola crop could bring in a million dollars or more. Instead, tariffs could see their profits entirely evaporate and force them to look to Farm Credit Canada for help to seed next year's crop. "I think Trump figures he's an illusionist, so he's distracting us by making us think about them while he shafts us some other way," Elsie Jensen said, adding she's unsure what Canada's next leadership will do for them. "We're just kind of, 'Wait and see. Are you going to do anything to help us out?' Because farming is what we do in Saskatchewan. "It's just a very, very stressful occupation to be in right now."
CBC
19-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Weeks away from seeding, farmers face uncertainty from Chinese canola tariffs
Social Sharing Farmers on the Canadian Prairies have canola on their minds as they brace for a geopolitical storm. On Thursday, China is expected to institute 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil and canola meal, along with 25 per cent tariffs on other goods like seafood and pork. Saskatchewan has five canola crushing plants and produces more than 50 per cent of the country's canola. As seeding season inches closer, farmers say they aren't sure if planting canola is worth it this year. "There's so much at stake. We built a farm based on Canada's commitment to free trade and now that's all up in the air," Margaret Rigetti, a canola farmer near Moose Jaw and the director with the Saskatchewan Oil Seeds Development Commission, told CBC. "We're weeks away from going to the field. We have hundreds of thousands of dollars of seed and fertilizer on the farm waiting to go into the ground." WATCH | China hitting Canada with 100% tariff on canola oil and peas: China hitting Canada with 100% tariff on canola oil and peas 9 days ago Duration 1:58 The Canadian Canola industry is under attack again from China. New Chinese tariffs are in response to the federal government's decision last October to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25 per cent levy on its aluminum and steel products. The Chinese tariffs on canola come in response to Canada's 100-per-cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25-per-cent levy on Chinese aluminum and steel products imposed on Oct. 1, 2024. The move was meant to keep cheap electric cars from China at bay to grow and protect Canada's nascent EV sector. Farmers argue that the auto industry shouldn't be more well-protected than the canola industry. "I want to know why farmers are paying to protect an industry that barely exists," Rigetti said. "I want to know why the automotive industry doesn't have to compete while we do." The Chinese tariffs are scheduled to kick in just a day after the Saskatchewan budget is set to be introduced in the provincial election. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe addressed farmers' concerns Tuesday at Canada's Farm Show, a trade show in Regina. He urged Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney to take action against China. "He should use this time to reach out to the president of China," Moe said. "This is the most urgent and pressing issue to the Canadian economy and to the Western Canadian economy. There will be jobs that will be lost."
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Dem governor issues order aiming to help fill ‘critical' state jobs as DOGE cuts federal bureaucracy
With DOGE scrutinizing the federal workforce for cuts, one potential 2028 Democrat hopeful issued an executive order aiming to fill hundreds of vacancies in his own state government while also focusing on private-sector openings. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was joined by other dignitaries during a job fair at the state Farm Show complex in Harrisburg to sign the order calling for, among other things, federal bureaucrats to be considered for a plethora of job openings in Harrisburg's civil service. "The commonwealth recognizes that a workforce of dedicated and talented public servants is the backbone of a responsive government that can ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services for Pennsylvanians," Shapiro said in his order. The executive order seeks to "capitalize on federal layoffs by accepting federal work experience as equivalent to state experience for the state's top recruitment needs," according to a separate statement from Shapiro. The statement added there will be an emphasis on veterans and military servicemembers also having direct access to recruiter-contacts, as well as publication of the 23 highest-priority, hardest-to-fill state jobs. "It is imperative that the commonwealth attract and retain qualified employees who are drawn to a career in public service to fill its existing vacancies," the order reads, citing an estimated 103,700 Pennsylvanians employed by the feds in 2024. Read On The Fox News App Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver added in a statement that the federal workforce is "one of the most professional and qualified in the world, and we know that many federal jobs have similar duties to jobs performed by Commonwealth employees." Top Blue State Republican Launches Comprehensive Doge Effort With A Twist "This executive order will help individuals with federal work experience find relevant job opportunities, continue their public service careers, and put their skills to work for the people of Pennsylvania," Weaver said. While Shapiro's order aims to encourage qualified federal workers to relocate up I-83 to Harrisburg, a source familiar with his efforts noted that the governor remains committed to an all-encompassing strategy to attract top talent to Pennsylvania's public and private sectors. Shapiro, Stitt Say Slashing Energy Development Red-tape And Beating China In 'Ai Arms Race' Are Top Priorities The day before he issued his order focused on state government jobs, Shapiro was in Pittsburgh meeting with private-sector leaders at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, seeking to boost economic growth in western Pennsylvania. There, Shapiro spoke about his energy "lightning plan" to increase jobs while reducing costs, saying, "We haven't done anything meaningful on energy generation since the [Ed] Rendell administration: It's time for us to lead again." Shapiro also held a phone call with tech billionaire Elon Musk in October. The governor said neither of them discussed politics but instead investment in Pennsylvania. In the past, a source familiar with the Shapiro administration's work suggested he bore the mantle of increasing government efficiency before the Trump-Musk endeavor to cut federal government waste began, given his unofficial and oft-repeated slogan: "Get s--t done." Conservatives, however, swiftly criticized Shapiro's order, with the state House minority leader suggesting any vacant government jobs first be deemed necessary to begin with. "While President Trump is using his mandate to lead the federal government in an unprecedented effort to right-size itself in true responsibility to the taxpayers, finding ways to add to our bureaucracy here in Pennsylvania sends us in the wrong direction," said state Rep. Jesse Topper, R-McConnellsburg. "When a job becomes vacant in Pennsylvania's administrative apparatus, the question should first be asked if it is truly needed rather than how quickly it can be filled," Topper continued, adding that the focus should be on "state-specific ways to get our fiscal house in order." Meanwhile, a potential 2026 Shapiro opponent said the governor's order will "make living in Pennsylvania worse." "He's already proposed an unsustainable, job-killing $51 billion budget, and yet that's not enough for him," said state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg. "Now he wants to continue his spending spree with this grandstanding, desperately trying to draw attention to himself politically. Meanwhile, he doesn't bat an eye as he destroys Pennsylvania's economy and ruins the lives and livelihood of our families." Mastriano notably launched an effort last week to establish Pennsylvania's own version of the federal Department of Government article source: Top Dem governor issues order aiming to help fill 'critical' state jobs as DOGE cuts federal bureaucracy
Fox News
07-03-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Top Dem governor issues order aiming to help fill ‘critical' state jobs as DOGE cuts federal bureaucracy
With DOGE scrutinizing the federal workforce for cuts, one potential 2028 Democrat hopeful issued an executive order aiming to fill hundreds of vacancies in his own state government while also focusing on private-sector openings. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was joined by other dignitaries during a job fair at the state Farm Show complex in Harrisburg to sign the order calling for, among other things, federal bureaucrats to be considered for a plethora of job openings in Harrisburg's civil service. "The commonwealth recognizes that a workforce of dedicated and talented public servants is the backbone of a responsive government that can ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services for Pennsylvanians," Shapiro said in his order. The executive order seeks to "capitalize on federal layoffs by accepting federal work experience as equivalent to state experience for the state's top recruitment needs," according to a separate statement from Shapiro. The statement added there will be an emphasis on veterans and military servicemembers also having direct access to recruiter-contacts, as well as publication of the 23 highest-priority, hardest-to-fill state jobs. "It is imperative that the commonwealth attract and retain qualified employees who are drawn to a career in public service to fill its existing vacancies," the order reads, citing an estimated 103,700 Pennsylvanians employed by the feds in 2024. Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver added in a statement that the federal workforce is "one of the most professional and qualified in the world, and we know that many federal jobs have similar duties to jobs performed by Commonwealth employees." "This executive order will help individuals with federal work experience find relevant job opportunities, continue their public service careers, and put their skills to work for the people of Pennsylvania," Weaver said. While Shapiro's order aims to encourage qualified federal workers to relocate up I-83 to Harrisburg, a source familiar with his efforts noted that the governor remains committed to an all-encompassing strategy to attract top talent to Pennsylvania's public and private sectors. The day before he issued his order focused on state government jobs, Shapiro was in Pittsburgh meeting with private-sector leaders at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, seeking to boost economic growth in western Pennsylvania. There, Shapiro spoke about his energy "lightning plan" to increase jobs while reducing costs, saying, "We haven't done anything meaningful on energy generation since the [Ed] Rendell administration: It's time for us to lead again." Shapiro also held a phone call with tech billionaire Elon Musk in October. The governor said neither of them discussed politics but instead investment in Pennsylvania. In the past, a source familiar with the Shapiro administration's work suggested he bore the mantle of increasing government efficiency before the Trump-Musk endeavor to cut federal government waste began, given his unofficial and oft-repeated slogan: "Get s--t done." Conservatives, however, swiftly criticized Shapiro's order, with the state House minority leader suggesting any vacant government jobs first be deemed necessary to begin with. "While President Trump is using his mandate to lead the federal government in an unprecedented effort to right-size itself in true responsibility to the taxpayers, finding ways to add to our bureaucracy here in Pennsylvania sends us in the wrong direction," said state Rep. Jesse Topper, R-McConnellsburg. "When a job becomes vacant in Pennsylvania's administrative apparatus, the question should first be asked if it is truly needed rather than how quickly it can be filled," Topper continued, adding that the focus should be on "state-specific ways to get our fiscal house in order." Meanwhile, a potential 2026 Shapiro opponent said the governor's order will "make living in Pennsylvania worse." "He's already proposed an unsustainable, job-killing $51 billion budget, and yet that's not enough for him," said state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg. "Now he wants to continue his spending spree with this grandstanding, desperately trying to draw attention to himself politically. Meanwhile, he doesn't bat an eye as he destroys Pennsylvania's economy and ruins the lives and livelihood of our families." Mastriano notably launched an effort last week to establish Pennsylvania's own version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency.
